CHURCH
OF SAINT PETER IN CHAINS, ARDROSSAN • A Family of
Parishes • SAINT BRIDE'S CHURCH, WEST KILBRIDE
BULLETIN 27 DECEMBER 2020
SERVICES
AND GATHERINGS
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, public Church services and gatherings
are limited till further notice. Father
Duncan
will live-stream Holy Mass every day and assures you of his prayers for you
and your family.
A READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO LUKE (Luke 2:22-40)
When the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses,
the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord,
observing what stands written in the Law of the Lord - every first-born male
must be consecrated to the Lord and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance
with what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young
pigeons. Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright
and devout man. He looked forward to Israel's comforting and the Holy Spirit
rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would
not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. Prompted by
the Spirit, he came to the Temple and when the parents brought in the child
Jesus to do for him what the Law required, he took him into his arms and blessed
God and he said "Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace, just
as you promised because my eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared
for all the nations to see, a light to enlighten the pagans and the glory
of your people Israel." As the child's father and mother stood there
wondering at the things that were being said about him, Simeon blessed them
and said to Mary his mother "'You see this child - he is destined for
the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that
is rejected - and a sword will pierce your own soul too so that the secret
thoughts of many may be laid bare." There was a prophetess also, Anna
the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well on in years.
Her days of girlhood over, she had been married for seven years before becoming
a widow. She was now eighty-four years old and never left the Temple, serving
God night and day with fasting and prayer. She came by just at that moment
and began to praise God and she spoke of the child to all who looked forward
to the deliverance of Jerusalem. When they had done everything the Law of
the Lord required, they went back to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.
Meanwhile the child grew to maturity, and he was filled with wisdom and God's
favour was with him.
REFLECTION
The Season of Christmas would better be called the Season of Epiphany or Revealing
since over the next two weeks we have a set of feasts which show the unfolding
of the mystery, of the answer to one simple question - just who is this baby
born in Bethlehem? It started on Christmas night when the angels announced
to shepherds that the baby born down in the village was their saviour. It
continues today as Simeon and Anna recognise who this baby is - salvation
and light and deliverance! There are more revelations about this child to
come - to wise men from the East and in the waters of the river Jordan at
his Baptism - as this Season unfolds. As we continue to think of Christ's
coming among us, let us ask ourselves what we recognise in him, how is he
our salvation, our light and our deliverance?
Saint
Peter's - All Masses are live-streamed and
public unless otherwise stated. |
Saint
Bride's - All Masses are public
unless otherwise stated. |
|
Saturday
26 December |
Holy Mass at 12 noon for
George McGeehan who died recently and Jessie Brown at her anniversary Private Vigil Mass at 5.30pm for Tom McKay, John Dolan and June Doherty at their anniversaries |
|
Sunday
27 December
Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph |
Holy Mass at 10.30am for our parishes | Holy Mass at 12.15pm for our parishes |
Monday
28 December
Feast of the Holy Innocents |
Holy Mass at 10.00am for Arturo and Cosimo Farro and Catherine (Kit) Kean at their anniversaries and Chrisey, Winnie and the McDonagh family | |
Tuesday
29 December
Memorial of Saint Thomas Beckett |
Holy
Mass at 10.00am for Matt
Donnelly who died recently, Monica Nicholson and Grant Mitchell as
a special intention |
Holy Mass at 10.00am |
Wednesday
30 December
|
Holy Mass at 10.00am for John Hendry, Theresa McGuire and Anthony and Theresa McGarvey at their anniversaries and Joanne and Neil Kirk | |
Thursday
31 December
|
Requiem Mass at 10.00am for Robert Montgomery | |
Friday
1 January
Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God |
Holy
Mass at 10.00am for Lawrence and Theresa Tumilty at their anniversaries,
Seamus Reilly senior, Agnes Madine (Dundee) and Katie McDonagh |
Holy Mass at 12 noon |
Saturday
2 January |
Holy Mass at 12 noon for
Brian and Lorna, Collette and Mark, Kathleen Harkness who died recently
and Joe and Andrea Hulley Private Vigil Mass at 5.30pm for Fiona and Andrew Upton, Joe McGhee who died recently and Caleb Forrest at his anniversary and Maureen McGarvey |
Saturday
26 December |
Vigil Mass at 4.30pm | |
Sunday
27 December
Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph |
Holy
Mass
at 10.00am |
Holy
Mass
at 11.30am |
Monday
28 December
Feast of the Holy Innocents |
||
Tuesday
29 December
Memorial of Saint Thomas Beckett |
Holy Mass at 10.00am | |
Wednesday
30 December
|
Requiem Mass | |
Thursday
31 December
|
||
Friday
1 January
Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God |
Holy Mass at 11.00am | Holy Mass at 11.00am |
Saturday
2 January |
Vigil Mass at 4.30pm | Vigil Mass at 5.30pm |
SAINT
PETER'S NOTICES
MASS
BOOKINGS |
SAINT
BRIDE'S NOTICES
WEEKLY
DONATION ENVELOPES |
COVID
SYMPTOMS For the safety of everyone and to prevent spread of the Covid-19, please do not attend Church over Christmas if you have any unusual symptoms for example. headache, cold or flu-like symptoms. Of course, if you have any of the three classic symptoms of coronavirus - high temperature, persistent cough, loss of or change in sense of taste or smell - please self-isolate immediately and book a test. Thank you for your cooperation with all the public health measures in place. |
NEW
YEAR HOPE FOR 2021
Dear brothers and sisters - we are a community of memory that looks back.
We are a community of Spirit that looks forward. It's important, though not
easy, to look back with kindness and to look forward in hope. Let us hand
over the past to God for his healing blessing. Let us ask the Lord to face
the future with us because we do not want to face it alone.
FEAST
OF THE EPIPHANY
Next Sunday, on the Solemnity of the Epiphany, we will bless the Chapel for
our traditional house blessing - a blessing we really need at the beginning
of a new year.
PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in this Holy Sacrament of the altar.
I love you above all things and I passionately desire to receive you into
my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come spiritually into
my soul so that I may unite myself wholly to you now and forever. Amen.
WILL THE CHRIST CHILD COME?
One Christmas we had an interesting experience that I would like to share.
Halfway through December, we were doing the regular evening things when there
was a knock at the door. We opened it to find a small package with a beautiful
ceramic lamb inside. We looked at the calendar and realised that the twelve
days of Christmas were beginning! We waited excitedly for the next night's
surprise and only then, with the gift of a matching shepherd, did we realised
that the lamb was part of a nativity set. Each night we grew more excited
to see what piece we would receive. Each was exquisitely beautiful. The children
kept trying to catch the givers as we slowing built the scene at the manager
and began to focus on Christ's birth. On Christmas Eve, all the pieces were
in place, but the Baby Jesus. My twelve-year-old son really wanted to catch
our benefactors and began to devise all kinds of ways to trap them. He ate
his dinner in the mini-van watching and waiting but no one came. Finally,
we called him in to go through our family's Christmas Eve traditions - but
before the children went to bed we checked the front step. The was no Baby
Jesus! Somehow, something was missing that Christmas Eve. There was a feeling
that things weren't complete. The children went to bed and I put out Christmas
but before I went to bed I again, checked to see if the Baby Jesus had come
but no, the doorstep was empty. Missing that piece of the set seemed to have
an odd effect. At least it changed my focus. I knew there were presents under
the tree for me and I was excited to watch the children open their gifts but
first on my mind was the feeling of waiting for the ceramic Christ Child.
We had opened just about all of the presents when one of the children found
one more for me buried deep beneath the branches of the tree. He handed me
a small package from a former parishioner. This lady used to come to Church
now and again. She had no family and she didn't get many gifts to open so
I had always given her a small package - new dish towels, a good book - not
much, but something for her to open. I was touched when at Church on the day
before Christmas, she had given me this small package, saying it was just
a token of her love and appreciation. As I took off the ribbon, I remembered
my friendship with her and was filled with gratitude for knowing her and for
her kindness in giving me a gift - but as the paper fell away, I began to
tremble and cry. There in the small brown box was the Baby Jesus. He had come!
I realised on that Christmas Day that Christ will come into our lives in ways
that we don't expect. The spirit of Christ comes into our hearts as we serve
one another. We had waited and watched for him to come, expecting the dramatic
'knock at the door and scurrying of feet' but he came in a small, simple package
that represented service, friendship, gratitude and love. This experience
taught me that the beginning of the true spirit of Christmas comes as we open
our hearts and actively focus on the Saviour. More than that I want to open
my heart to him all year that I may see him again.
JUST FOR A LAUGH ...
Hamish was in New York. He was patiently waiting and watching the traffic
cop on a busy street crossing. The cop stopped the flow of traffic and shouted
"Okay pedestrians". Then he'd allow the traffic to pass. He'd done
this several times and Hamish still stood on the pavement. After the cop had
shouted "Pedestrians" for the tenth time, Hamish went over to him
and said "Is it not about time ye let the Catholics across?"
SUNDAY
OBLIGATION
Sunday obligation to attend Holy Mass remains suspended for the time being
and availability is restricted for those wishing to attend. Some of our parishioners
are working during the week and can only attend at the weekend. Therefore,
to make Holy Mass available to everyone we would be grateful if you wish to
attend Mass and are able to attend on a weekday please do so, leaving seats
for those parishioners working during the week. Thank you.
STANDING
ORDERS - PLEASE THINK ABOUT IT
The parishes have taken quite a 'knock' through lockdown when public Mass
was not available for sixteen weeks. This has had a huge impact on our parishes'
finances. Could you consider taking out a Standing Order? It would be of great
benefit to our parish. Forms are available from the Parish Office and here.
Thank you
HOSPITAL CHAPLAINCY
If a member of your family or a friend is sick, please let us know and give
us the details. Deacon Bill Corbett (01292 521208, 07904 248948, Rev.BillCorbett@btinternet.com)
is the Chaplain to Crosshouse Hospital and is assisted by the Priest on call
each week.
ADVERTISER SUPPORT
Our advertisers would welcome your support. We are grateful for their continuing
sponsorship. We are grateful for the support of Mr and Mrs Sohal, Nisa Stores,
Glasgow Street for the weekly donation of tea, coffee and milk for the Sunday
teas.
PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE ADULTS - MISSION STATEMENT
The Catholic Church in Scotland is concerned with the lives, safety, wholeness
and well-being of each individual person within God's purpose for everyone.
It seeks to safeguard the welfare of people of all ages who are involved in
whatever capacity with
the Church and its organisations. As a Church community, we accept that it
is the responsibility of all of us, ordained, professed, paid and
voluntary members, to work together to prevent the physical, sexual, emotional
abuse or neglect of children, young people and vulnerable adults.